Samuel Chavez-Aquiar, a 40-year-old man from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was fatally shot on June 9, 2024, outside the Rags 2 Riches smoke shop located at 8307 Central Avenue NE, near Wyoming Boulevard in Albuquerque's International District.
The Albuquerque Police Department conducted an investigation into the murder, which led to the arrest of two suspects. On July 2, 2024, detectives arrested the first suspect, Deluvino Salazar, in connection with Chavez-Aquiar's death.
Salazar reportedly provided information to the police about his involvement in the incident.
Following further investigation, on July 12, 2024, APD arrested a second suspect, Salvador Gutierrez, age 35. Gutierrez is accused of being the one who fatally shot Chavez-Aquiar during the incident at the smoke shop. Both Salazar and Gutierrez were taken into custody and charged in connection with the murder of Samuel Chavez-Aquiar.
The case garnered attention from local law enforcement and media, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address violent crime in Albuquerque. The arrests of both suspects within a month of the incident demonstrated the APD's commitment to solving this homicide case and bringing those responsible to justice.
